Sonnenberg navigates long road to the Roar

Renée Sonnenberg relished what could be the defining moment of her competitive curling career with a resounding victory over two-time world women’s champion Kelly Scott in the first qualifying match of the 2013 Capital One Road to the Roar, presented by Monsanto, Nov. 9 in Kitchener.

Sonnenberg lost to Scott in the A-Event final but after a pair of B-Event wins, earned a re-match with the Kelowna, B.C. veteran. Sonnenberg turned the tables in a 12-4 victory that sent her team on the way to the 2013 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings, presented by Monsanto, Dec. 1-8 in Winnipeg’s MTS Centre.

Renee Sonnenberg in action at the Capital One Road to the Roar in Kitchener, Ont. (Photo Michael Burns)

“Being able to go to Winnipeg is great,” said Sonnenberg, following the emotional match. “But just to finally be able to put together a great game and be relaxed in a really high pressure situation is what I’m most proud of.

“I can’t believe it. I love curling in Winnipeg… and on arena ice, in front of a huge crowd with these phenomenal teams. It’s what every curler hopes for.”

The Grande Prairie, Alta. foursome – including Lawnie MacDonald, Cary-Anne McTaggart and Rona Pasika – will be one of eight women’s teams vying for the right to represent Canada next February in Sochi.

Sonnenberg gained a first-hand perspective of the Olympics as coach of the Danish women’s team skipped by Angelina Jensen at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Now she’s one step closer to stepping into the hack to represent her own country on the biggest stage in the sporting world.

A two-time representative for Alberta in the Canadian Junior Women’s Curling Championship (1989 and 1990) and the Scotties Tournament of Hearts (1999 and 2001), Sonnenberg will be making her first appearance at the Canadian Curling Trials.

“You Gotta Be There” for the 2013 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings – Canada’s stepping stone to Sochi in 2014. Just click here to reserve prime seats in the MTS Centre.